Matthew 21 - 7.21.26
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:22
“Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea’, and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
OBSERVATION:
Right before Jesus spoke this to His disciples, He was hungry, and had gone up to a fig tree, and saw that there was nothing on it except leaves. He spoke to it and said, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed, and asked Jesus how the fig tree withered so quickly. Jesus taught them about the power of prayer.
APPLICATION:
Faith combined with prayer unlocks the door to God’s blessings. Jesus wasn’t referring to any kind of asking, He emphasized believing. “…When you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” (James 1:6-8).
Doubt hinders our prayers. When we ask in faith, it requires not only our words, but our heart that fully trusts in God.
PRAYER: Dear God, I pray You will help me to trust in You fully and completely. May my prayers be aligned with Your heart. Thank You for being so caring and attentive to answer every request that I have brought to You in faith. Help me not to ask selfish prayers, but to trust and rely on Your wisdom, and to have unwavering trust in Your power and perfect timing. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
- Robin Orefice
Matthew 20 - 7.20.26
Scripture
Matthew 20:21-22 NIV
““What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered.”
Observation
The mother of James and John comes up to Jesus and makes a request on behalf of her sons. She asks Jesus if her sons can sit at the right and left side of Him when Jesus establishes His kingdom. But you see, James and John’s mother is still thinking Jesus is going to overthrow the Roman Empire, establish His earthly kingdom and put Israel back on the map again. But, the kingdom Jesus is going to establish is not an earthly one, but rather a heavenly one.
Application
We should be glad that Jesus doesn’t give us everything we ask for.
I remember a time when a promotional opportunity came up for me at work. I felt it was the perfect spot for me. The job was not only gonna pay me more, but the location that I would be working out of was as close to home as I could get! To add the “cherry on top,” the job was less busy and less stressful than my current job at the time. I remember praying to Jesus every day. I’d ask Him to give me favor when I interviewed for the position. I asked that He bless me with this job so I can help out with my family. So, I interviewed for it and it was actually one of the best interviews I ever had! So a couple of months go by and I find out that they gave the job to another guy. I was confused. How could this happen? I was almost certain Jesus was going to come through and answer my prayer!
Fast forward a year or two later. I am in a new job location at work. I still carry the same work title and pay, but definitely a less chaotic work environment than my previous spot. Now get this. This job had required me to help out every now and then at the job location I previously interviewed for and let me tell you, the days I had to cover there were so miserable for me. It was so boring there 😫! There was no human interaction, (other than the truck drivers I had to load/unload). It was a one-man operation, in the middle of nowhere, with no one to talk to. Now I know some people may like those type of work conditions, but even for an introvert like me, that was a bit much. Let’s just say, I’m glad that Jesus didn’t answer my prayers regarding that job. It seems Jesus knew what was best for me. 😁
The same can be said in this particular passage in regards to what James and John’s mother was asking of Jesus. She had no clue the bitter cup of suffering that Jesus was about to endure on that cross. She and her sons were only focused on obtaining those highly sought after prominent positions of stature seated at the right and left hand of Jesus in His kingdom. But like I mentioned earlier, Jesus was not there to establish His earthly kingdom, but rather his heavenly kingdom. In order to do that, it started at His sacrifice on the cross and who were at Jesus’ right and left side on that cross?…the two thieves, who too were being crucified. Now, would the mother of James and John or any mother for that matter want that sort of fate for their sons?! I think not. I think it’s safe to say that she too was glad that Jesus didn’t give her what she asked for.
At the end of the day, Jesus doesn’t always give us what we ask for. It could be a job request, a physical healing, or even getting us out of a difficult situation. But, we need to trust in Him. We need to understand that He knows what is best for us. We need to know that He is faithful. He will never leave our side and He will give us the strength and fortitude to carry us through.😊
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”-Proverbs 3:5-6
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being someone I can trust in. Thank You for being someone who I know wants the best for me. Forgive me for being childish and wanting my ways all the time. Let me remember how You set the example for me in the Garden of Gethsemane. You put aside Your desires of wanting that bitter cup taken away, to submit to the Father’s ways. May my life, my prayers, be about seeking Your will to be done over my own. In Your precious name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
Matthew 17 - 7.17.26
Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9
1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Observation
This is the Transfiguration of Jesus, he transformed from the inside out right in front of Peter, James and John. He was shining like a bright light, like the sun and standing right there with him was Moses and Elijah. The disciples were terrified and didn’t know what to say, so Peter said he could build three shelters or tents for them, but you can’t contain God’s Glory in a tent. As Peter was talking, he was interrupted by a bright cloud that covered them and a voice from the cloud told who Jesus is. Jesus is the radiance of God’s Glory. We see the same thing spoken about Jesus at the beginning of His ministry.
Matthew 3:16 - 17 - As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
If the disciples had any doubt that Jesus was the Messiah, I think this would have been a real eye opener. God was pulling out all the stops! He was showing up for our Jewish disciples. The law being given to Moses is now here…Jesus. All the Glory from Mt. Sinai, which shone on Moses’ face and all the Glory of Jesus was right here in front of them. They were overwhelmed by God’s Glory…it was wonderful and scary but they didn’t want to leave.
Application
As Believers who are blood bought, saved by Grace, we too want to stay in our safe buildings and structures and enjoy God’s presence while the world outside is dying. Jesus took the disciples down the mountain right back into the messiness of life. The Glory of God goes out into the world, community and our screwed-up lives. God’s Glory is not just going to shine from a mountaintop, it’s going to be found in you and me. The Glory of God won’t be contained, we are reflections of His Glory. God’s Glory is found as we live out Jesus among us. God’s Glory is all over the place. You can be part of God’s Glory. If the Church of Jesus isn’t about the business of reflecting God’s Glory, we are missing the mark. You have to leave the sunset, the mountain, the awesome worship and the building because the Glory of God is to be lived out. Jesus has called us to be the Bearers of His Glory to the world. Are you bearing God’s Glory?
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Help us to be busy about your business. We are your hands and feet in this world and we ask that you use us for your kingdom. Lord, search our hearts and purify us, so that we will be bright reflections of your Glory. Give us a heart that has compassion for the world that is hurt and dying. Help us to be bearers of Your Glory!
- Michelle Craig